Christopher Lee Knox, 28, of San Bernardino was convicted September 10, 2013, in connection with the trafficking of a 16-year-old female victim.

Knox used the above taser (which appears to be a cell phone) to achieve compliance with his 16-year-old victim.

On November 6, 2012, 81% of California voters approved Proposition 35--also known as the the "Californians Against Sexual Exploitation Act"--making it the most successful ballot initiative in the history of California.

Proposition 35 increases prison terms for human traffickers; requires convicted human traffickers to pay for services to help victims; mandates law enforcement to conduct training on human trafficking; requires convicted sex traffickers to register as sex offenders; and requires all registered sex offenders to disclose their internet accounts; however, there is a pending restraining order on the latter provision.

For the first time in California since Prop 35 was passed, a pimp faces a life sentence in state prison. On September 10, Christopher Lee Knox, 28, of San Bernardino, was found guilty by a jury of procuring another person for the purpose of prostitution, pimping a minor and persuading a minor to engage in commercial sex. Jurors also found true allegations that Knox used force, fear, coercion, violence or threat of unlawful injury to the victim. Knox was sentenced to 36 years to life in state prison October 16, 2014.

“Prior to the passage of Prop. 35, the maximum term that Mr. Knox could have faced was eight years, but now he faces 15 years to life,” Deputy District Attorney Melissa Rodriguez, who prosecuted the case. “This sends a stronger message to those who commit this type of crime.”

Rodriguez, who also heads up the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit, said Knox threatened his 16-year-old victim—who was a runaway at the time—with a taser to make sure she understood and carried out his rules.

After being forced to work as a prostitute on Base Line in San Bernardino, the 16-year-old victim was approached by San Bernardino police officers and eventually admitted she was working for Knox. He was arrested that same day and taken into custody.

The following text messages--entered into evidence during the Knox trial--depict the mindset of a pimp and the relationship that exists between him and his victims:

January 2, 2013

VICTIM (12:02 AM): Don't tell me you're a PIMP lol

KNOX (12:03 AM): Yea I am buy only by choice I like u ma

VICTIM (12:08 AM): You are!

KNOX (12:09 AM): Yea

January 5, 2013

KNOX (9:41 AM): B---- u thnk its a game hoe

VICTIM (9:43 AM): No

VICTIM (9:44 AM): I don't a car.

KNOX (9:46 AM): B---- u got days 2 make up for thy adding. Up hoe a quuarter a day u o 750$ so for u get any further its gone b a problem I advise u 2 b on the blade @ 8 do here me

VICTIM (10:07 AM): So i owe on off dayz

KNOX (10:08 AM): B---- there is no off days hoe

January 19, 2013

KNOX (8:37 PM): Bring yo a--

VICTIM (8:39 PM): Iam daddy ihave to turn another date

VICTIM (8:41 PM): Plz dnt taze meeh when ikome [the rest of this message has been redacted due to its inappropriate content]

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It is the mission of the San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office to represent the interests of the people in the criminal justice system, as mandated by California State law. The San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office serves the residents of San Bernardino County by: seeking the truth, protecting the innocent; holding the guilty accountable; preserving the dignity of victims and their families; and, ensuring that justice is done while always maintaining the highest ethical standards.